Students Protest Ongoing Racism and Discrimination Within the Maricopa County Community College District (Phoenix)

On October 12, 2004, one day before the presidential debates in Phoenix, concerned students, educators, parents and citizens will stage a public demonstration against discrimination and hate on the campus of Glendale Community College (GCC) in Glendale, Arizona

Phoenix, AZ (PRWEB) October 11, 2004 -- Students will take matters into their own hands in protest of disparaging remarks toward ethnic minorities and lack of disciplinary action by community college administration to improve a growing climate of discrimination and fear within the ten campuses of the Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD).

For one solid year, ethnic minority students and educators have been the recipients of
disparaging remarks by GCC Math Professor, Walter Kehowski. Mr. Kehowski continues to send correspondence via college e-mail and maintains an MCCCD hosted website of white supremacy and hate.

You almost always have to [be a Marxist whore to get an Education, English or non technical degree nowadays," writes Professor Kehowski.

A separate transmission illustrates Mr. Kehowskis sentiments toward the ethnically diverse,
300,000 student body population within MCCCD:

La Raza, Muslims, Blacks, and other minorities: milking the white man for everything they
can get---with his willing help," writes Kehowski.

MCCCD policy for educator sponsored websites and e-mails does not coincide with this
continuing practice but has not enforced its own policies. The following excerpt was sent to
MCCCD faculty from a Faculty Executive Council Meeting:

It was stated that the current policies are not enforced because in the past, when an
attempt was made to enforce the policies, there was an outcry against the disciplinary action. Council discussed the recent faculty website that was viewed by some students as
racist and thus had created a hostile environment. Council was asked if it was willing to
support the enforcement of email/web use policies. The point was made that new policy
did not need to be created for an issue that happens about once a year."

Educators and students have repeatedly filed complaints and made public pleas to the
Governing Board with little or no response from MCCCD officials. Judy Poggi and David
Rodriguez, GCC faculty, have recently filed charges of retaliation after bringing the effects of the disparaging remarks to light. They claim their professional careers have been in
jeopardy as a result of speaking out.

This community college district (MCCCD) has created a hostile environment that is
damaging the teaching and learning for students, faculty, and staff," states Early Childhood
and Child Family Studies faculty, Judy Poggi.

Why are my tax dollars being used to host web pages and distribute e-mail messages
that attack Women, Gays, Blacks, Latinos, Chinese, and Muslims," asks David Rodriguez,
GCC faculty librarian.
The public demonstration will expose and illustrate the climate of fear, discrimination and lack of action to create an inclusive learning environment within MCCCD. The protest will begin
at 11:00 AM on the campus of GCC followed by a rally at 12:00 noon.

Los Angeles filmmaker and civil rights activist John Carlos Frey will be participating in the
demonstration amongst other community leaders.

Editors Note:
Press Inquiries:
John Carlos Frey
Gatekeeper Productions, LLC
johncfrey@aol.com
213-324-6101

David M. Rodriguez
GCCFaculty Librarian, Former Libary Department Chair
623-845-3125 Office
602-380-3821 Cell
david.m.rodriguez@gcmail.maricopa.edu

Judy Poggi
Early Childhood and Child Family Studies Faculty
602-377-114

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